Biography

Frank Zecca

Interim Chief Information Officer

Francisco (Frank) Zecca serves as the Chief Technology Officer for IT Infrastructure & Operations at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). He assumed this role in August 2023, following his tenure as Associate Chief Information Officer for IT Infrastructure Services since 2015.

Frank's career in information technology spans over three decades, beginning at The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) where he held various positions, including Executive Director of the Computer Center. His expertise in server administration, database management, and computer programming has contributed to numerous successful initiatives and projects.

Prior to his current role, Frank served as Associate Chief Information Officer for Technical Services at UTRGV, where he supervised directors across multiple departments, including Enterprise Architecture and Application Development. His leadership has been pivotal in developing technical staff and ensuring the delivery of essential services.

As a senior administrator, Frank oversees the directors of several key departments, including Data Center Services, Network Services, Data & Network Security, Collaboration Support, and End User Computing. He utilizes his strong analytical skills in technology assessment, integration, and investment, ensuring the delivery of mission-critical services through a deep understanding of the IT regulatory environment as it applies to universities.

Frank reports directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and is a vital member of the CIO’s senior leadership team. He actively collaborates with university leaders, students, faculty, and staff to develop and improve services that support their technology requirements. His role involves coordinating with other divisional leaders to fulfill the university’s mission.

Since joining UTRGV, Frank has overseen Central IT’s efforts in the technology consolidation of UTPA and UTB into UTRGV. This consolidation involved addressing key challenges such as differing methodologies, network configurations, and ensuring seamless integration across various systems. Additionally, Frank has been instrumental in overseeing Central IT’s efforts in the Epic EMR implementation, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing the university's technological capabilities.

Beyond his professional achievements, Frank cherishes spending quality time with his family and friends. He enjoys BBQ competitions, relaxing at the ranch, and has recently taken up carpentry as a hobby. His son Frankie and daughter Janell are proud students at UTRGV, adding to the joy and pride he feels every day. 

Frank holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from The University of Texas-Pan American, with minors in Computer Information Systems and English. He is also certified in ITIL Foundations v3, further demonstrating his commitment to excellence in information technology leadership.